CityPulse reveals how Perth residents live, work and play

The best places to play in Perth have been revealed.

VideoA report by CityPulse has revealed the best places to play in Perth.Video: Justin Benson-Cooper

Decades-old perceptions of the city have been torn apart by an analysis that has uncovered some unexpected truths about the way Perth residents live, work and play.

Who, for example, would have expected the people of Landsdale, Darch and Wangara to be so smart — with extraordinarily high numbers of patent applications and business registrations lodged from within those suburbs over the past year?

And would you expect Bayswater, Embleton and Bedford to be such a hive of fun and physical activity, with a high ratio of fitness centres and boat ramps?

How does your suburb rank?

The findings are part of PwC’s CityPulse project — essentially a mapping analysis that uses a vast array of data to identify suburb-by-suburb trends and features.

And many of the results are surprising.

“We live in cities because we want to be close to the things that matter to us — jobs, our families and community, culture, sport and entertainment, and high-quality essential services,” PwC manager Tim McMinn said.

“This makes accessibility a key measure of quality of life in the city and CityPulse captures a lot of what makes Perth, and its different areas, a great place to live, work and play.

“But what matters to each of us will be different — our experience of the city is a personal as well as a public thing.”

Mr McMinn said the CityPulse analysis showed that different suburbs had different strengths.

Booragoon is clearly one of the top suburbs to live because of its access to amenities by car and transit (especially aged-care facilities and schools), its low rate of crime (offences against the person) and below-average levels of mortgage and rent stress.

The appeal of Bayswater, Embleton and Bedford was not only access to fitness centres and boat ramps but also to sports facilities by public transit.

The railway line also gave residents great access to attractions, bars, entertainment and dining venues.

Mr McMinn said the analysis identified the best suburbs for particular demographics.

For a retiree who loves the beach and the outdoors, uses public transport and has an average housing budget, the best place to live is the Yokine-Coolbinia-Menora area.

But for a student who has a tight housing budget, loves a drink with friends and gets around by car outside of work but commutes on public transport, the best place to live is the Parkwood-Ferndale-Lynwood area.

Other interesting findings included:

Balcatta-Hamersley — top number of school places accessible by public transport after Perth CBD.